DISCIPLINE FOR THE HEART

Proverbs 23:12  

Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.

Proverbs 23:12, NKJV

This is a simple admonition here, yet if we will look at it carefully, it will yield to us some very helpful information. The first thing we see is that we are to apply our heart to discipline. The word "apply" here means "to bring to." Thus, God is saying that we need to bring our hearts to something. Here we read that what we bring our hearts to is discipline.

The word "discipline" translates from musar, which means to instruct with discipline. It refers most often to the discipline given by a father both by word and by the rod. It is very easy when discipline is applied to us for us to not allow it to reach the heart. We may hear the words and receive the correction, but we do not bring our hearts to it.

True correction and discipline is for the heart, not the bottom. It might be applied to the rear end with the rod, but the aim in these things needs to be directed to the heart. What Solomon is saying, though, is for the one receiving the discipline.

Apply your heart to what God is trying to teach you. The second admonition here is that we also apply our ears to words of knowledge.

Knowledge here refers to more than just head learning. Solomon is telling us about knowing of God and His ways. He refers to a working knowledge, a practical knowledge, intimate knowledge, knowledge that truly changes the way we act. The verb "apply" is assumed here; thus; we are told to bring our ears to this knowledge that God is seeking to give us. It is listening to learn and to apply it to one's life.

This is key to our becoming wise. If we will truly bring our hearts and ears to what God is seeking to communicate to us, we will be blessed greatly. God longs for us to be wise and to know and follow Him with all our hearts.

These two practices, bringing our hearts to times of discipline, and bringing our ears to hear obediently what God says to us, will assure that we grow and personally experience all the godliness that God desires to give us when He works and speaks in our lives!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for setting us on our journey today. Lord, open up the windows of heaven and let Your abundant blessings pour out over us and our family today. Lord, we are grateful that You sent Your Word to guide us in the way that we should go. Lord, thank You for keeping us on the straight and narrow. Lord, we love Your Word. It is filled with life and faith. Lord, give us the desire to read and study it more diligently. Lord, open our understanding and give us revelation so we will be able to apply the truths found in it to our lives. Lord, use us to boldly proclaim the Word of truth to all whom you bring into our path.

Father, we love You. Amen !